Attention all Carrie Bradshaw wannabes, your favourite fictional columnist’s most-loved shoe brand hosted a stunning soirée last week to celebrate Chinese New Year, and we’ve got the inside scoop. The event, hosted at none other than BUND by Shanghai Me, did not mark the emergence of a new collection, but instead the brand’s recent expansion to China (Shanghai and Beijing, to be specific). VIPs including Susan Fang and Rosana Lei, alongside an entourage of fashionistas and opinion leaders (with the best-dressed trotters from here to Shanghai), were invited to celebrate at the art-deco speakeasy, complete with views of London’s skyline. Naturally, though, the interior décor — consisting of Manolo Blahnik’s in every shape and shade of red imaginable — far outshone the rooftop views of Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace; especially the brand’s crown jewel HANGISI 70 Red Satin Jewel Buckle Pumps. We’re already pining for an invite to their next affair (and a new pair of heels wouldn’t hurt either — metaphorically speaking anyway).
We’re not hot on comprising style in the name of comfort, but unfortunately not all of us have the wherewithal to scurry about in heels all day like Miss Bradshaw. Thankfully there’s nothing a pair of trusty UGGs can’t do, and the brand’s latest collaboration with Anne Sofie Madsen at Copenhagen Fashion Week made sure to set that in stone. The runway saw custom-altered versions of the footwear brand’s classic boots with the fur, because we all know there’s no bigger fashion-week faux pas than risking a model stumbling in stilettos (we’re looking at you, Vivienne Westwood AW93). The collab also came alongside a brand new UGG ready-to-wear collection for those of us not fortunate enough to catwalk in custom couture. Our fave is the Quill Ballet Trainer in Red Pepper — deliciously on-trend as they’re debuting at the height of both the UGG and ballet-flat renaissance. Fur-lined so they’re as comfy as a slipper, it’s bound to be the It-girl shoe of the year.
In the thick of coat season (or the season of the thick coat) we learn to rely on things other than a first-class ‘fit to show off our fashionista status. One thing that never goes out of style is a shiny, healthy mane — and we all know the best way to keep your locks luscious during winter’s worst is a good hair mask. K18’s Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask is about the best in the biz, but don’t take our word for it: the latest K18 campaign is backed by GlamBOT director Cole Walliser, the man who put hair at the centre of red-carpet glam. He’s leading the campaign to break the Guinness World Record for the most hair-flip videos shared in 24 hours using the #K18HairFlip hashtag, inviting you to indulge in a little hair repair using the K18 mask and post your own GlamBOT-inspired hair-flip vid. In return, K18 will donate $20 per vid to the charity, HairToStay. Shiny locks, a chance at your own 15 minutes of fame and a donation to a good cause? It’s win-win-win.
Valentine’s day is fast approaching, and we all know there’s nothing sexier than a matching set. Calvin Klein have cottoned onto this (pardon the pun) and are taking it one step further: matching undies with your SO. This Feb, the brand is swapping out the infamous #mycalvins platform for #ourcalvins. So romantic. The campaign is headed by breakout stars of Tell Me Lies and IRL couple Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, getting hot and heavy, stripped down to their Calvins. Of course, there’s classic shots of the couple unbuttoning each others’ jeans to reveal the CK logo peaking out the top, but the stars of the show are the his and hers, CK-emblem print Icon Cotton Stretch and Icon Cotton Modal. Nothing says ‘I love you’ like matching budgie-smugglers and bikini briefs, right? Campaign footage here if you’re feeling raunchy.
Ending things with another footwear drop this week — and it’s an unlikely collab. You might think Birkenstocks and bridalwear go together about as well as socks and sandals (no judgement if that’s your thing), but the brand’s recent capsule collab with bridal label Danielle Frankel is here to prove everyone wrong. Both brands have noted the movement towards bridal authenticity and comfort, so the campaign is all about embracing wedded bliss, not blisters. The Bespoke Arizonas, for example, are delicately embellished with chiffon flowers and pearl strings, but boogie-proof enough to keep the bride on the dancefloor all night long. They’re sleek enough to wear long past the big day, too. Slipping them on might conjure up toe-curling memories of dancing to ‘Sweet Caroline’ after one too many glasses of champagne, but it certainly won’t make you recall a night of sore feet. Check out the rest of the collection here.
- WriterLucy Wragg
